The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with the ₹2,161 crore excise scam that allegedly caused massive losses to the state exchequer.

The case, one of the biggest corruption scandals in Chhattisgarh’s recent history, is linked to an illegal liquor syndicate that allegedly operated with the active involvement of senior bureaucrats, excise department officials, and political leaders during the tenure of Bhupesh Baghel as Chief Minister.

According to the ED, the scam involved a systematic manipulation of liquor licensing, illegal sales, and revenue misappropriation, with proceeds routed through shell companies and benami accounts. The central agency has claimed that this syndicate deliberately siphoned off excise revenue, depriving the state of thousands of crores in lawful income.

The charge sheet names Chaitanya Baghel as a key beneficiary, alleging that he held financial interests in entities linked to the scam. Officials claimed that money was moved through hawala channels and invested in assets, including land and real estate.

The ₹2,161 crore scam reportedly came to light following intelligence inputs and complaints filed by whistleblowers about large-scale irregularities in liquor procurement and distribution. The ED began probing the case after registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During the investigation, the ED arrested multiple excise department officials and questioned senior bureaucrats. Raids were also carried out at premises linked to politicians and businessmen suspected of being part of the network. In its charge sheet, the ED has alleged that a well-organised cartel was formed to control liquor contracts, manipulate tenders, and generate illegal profits at the expense of the public exchequer.

The central agency has also attached properties worth several crores under the provisions of PMLA, claiming that these were acquired using the proceeds of crime.

The involvement of Chaitanya Baghel, the son of the former CM, has added a sharp political angle to the case. Opposition leaders have accused the Congress-led government of turning a blind eye to corruption during its tenure, while the Congress party has termed the ED’s actions as politically motivated and part of a larger campaign to target opposition leaders.

The ED’s filing of the charge sheet marks a major development in the ongoing probe. The agency is also expected to submit supplementary charge sheets as further evidence and testimonies are gathered.

The alleged scam has raised serious concerns about the integrity of governance in Chhattisgarh, with questions being raised over how such a massive fraud went undetected for years. Analysts believe the outcome of this case will not only impact the state’s political climate but also influence upcoming elections.

For citizens, the case represents yet another example of how corruption in excise and liquor policies continues to drain public resources in India. The alleged ₹2,161 crore loss to the exchequer highlights the urgent need for greater transparency, stronger auditing mechanisms, and tighter checks on the nexus between politics, bureaucracy, and business.

As the case progresses, the focus will remain on whether the ED is able to establish conclusive evidence against those accused, and how the courts respond to the detailed allegations in the charge sheet.

Would you like me to expand this into a 2,000+ word in-depth article with sections on the background of the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, ED’s investigation timeline, political reactions, and its wider implications for governance in Indi

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